USC all about business as fall practice kicks off

South Carolina's opening practice Friday night was much different from the circus that was the start of the 2013 season.

By MATT CONNOLLYmatthew.connolly@shj.com

COLUMBIA — South Carolina's opening practice Friday night was much different from the circus that was the start of the 2013 season.There was no questioning whether a star player should even be out on the field, and the highlights were not shown repeatedly on national television.That's perfectly fine with South Carolina defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward, who feels confident in his defense and USC's entire team.“I like the way the guys flew around. They came in with a positive attitude. I think there's a little something different about this team,” Ward said. “I was impressed with what I saw initially, but we'll go back and evaluate the film.”Ward added that the Gamecocks do not have a true superstar player, something he sees as a positive.“I just think there's something special about them. They're about business,” he said. “There's no big name players on this team. They're like family, and they play as a team. I think it's something special when you do that.”The South Carolina practice field had plenty of local flavor to it on Friday, most notably starting quarterback Dylan Thompson.The former Boiling Springs star will get his first chance to lead the Gamecocks for an entire season in 2014, and USC coach Steve Spurrier said the quarterback is off to a good start.He added that Thompson did a nice job helping backup quarterback Connor Mitch this offseason.“Dylan looks good. Connor Mitch looked much-improved tonight,” Spurrier said. “He listened to Dylan a little bit. Dylan had a good night also. He's been helping coach the younger quarterbacks this summer.”Former Byrnes receiver Nick Jones is looking to have a breakout senior season and should have an opportunity to do so.He believes he got better and added that the Gamecocks have a deep group of receivers with Shaq Roland, Damiere Byrd and Pharoh Cooper also expected to get plenty of playing time.“I think we're a really talented group. We all bring something different to the table,” Jones said. “I think we're going to be a dangerous group for defenders to defend.”Freshman receiver Deebo Samuel, a former Chapman standout, provided one of the highlights of the night when he caught a short pass and juked past linebacker Jordan Diggs.The play drew plenty of applause from the crowd and impressed USC running back Mike Davis, who yelled “Deebo, that's what I'm talking about,” from the sideline.Jones said Samuel reminds him of a former Gamecock star.“When I look at him I see a lot of Bruce (Ellington) in him,” Jones said. “He's a good athlete just like Bruce.”Former Gaffney receiver Shaq Davidson was in a yellow jersey and did not practice as he continues to recover from minor knee surgery. He is expected to participate fully in practice as early as next week.Tight end Busta Anderson also was in a yellow jersey, along with Davis, who is trying to bounce back from a hamstring injury.Spurrier said he is hopeful that Davis can get on the practice field next week but added that Shon Carson, Brandon Wilds and David Williams impressed him on Friday.“Sometimes those injuries linger for a long time, but we've got good running backs. We're in good shape there,” Spurrier said. “Those other three backs looked awfully good. Shon Carson, Brandon Wilds and David Williams, they were fast, flying around.”USC returns to the practice field at 7:15 p.m. Saturday. It will be open to the public.